CARL Research Reports 2013
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Item An evaluation of homeless women’s experiences of mental health services in Cork - a feminist perspective(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-10-04) Connolly, Trish; Sapouna, Lydia; Good Shepherd Aftercare Services; Civil Society OrganizationBackground to the study: Women’s experiences of mental health and homelessness are multi-faceted and undeniably intertwined. Yet both are social problems hidden from the political and social agenda despite calls from women’s groups and lobbyists (NWCI & Women’s Health Council) to change this. The ‘revolving door’ between mental health services and homelessness is a clear indication that services do not adequately respond to these women’s needs. The Good Shepherd Aftercare services (hereafter referred to as GSS) have taken the initiative to research this area due to an increasing number of their clients presenting with mental health difficulties. The GSS anticipates the findings will enable them to tailor services that would meet the client’s specific needs. Objectives: The overall objectives of this study are to firstly: review the literature relating to women’s mental health and homelessness from a feminist perspective. Secondly: to compile a list of mental health support services in the Cork area. Thirdly: to gain the perspectives of the women who access the GSS on what their experiences of mental health services were, to use this information to address ‘gaps’ in current service and identify areas where innovative change can be applied.Item An exploration of the experience of post-natal depression support services in Cork(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-05-07) Murphy, Deirdre; Skinner, Helen; Sapouna, Lydia; PND Ireland; Civil Society OrganizationThis research was carried out of behalf of Post Natal Depression Ireland (PND Ireland) in association with Community Academic Research Links (CARL). This is an initiative in University College Cork (UCC) which works with Civic Society Organisations (CSO) by assisting them with research they wish to pursue. In this case the research will be facilitated by two final year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students. The research explores the experiences of support services for mothers with post-natal depression in Cork. The research is a qualitative study based on interviews with mothers who have or had post-natal depression (PND) and professional support service providers. To facilitate this research a literature review of the social and medical constructions of post-natal depression was conducted. A previous study undertaken by (CARL) on behalf of PND Ireland in 2012, revealed the prevalence of PND and the importance of peer and professional supports in reducing the symptoms of PND. This study will make a distinctive contribution to research into how PND support services are experienced by mothers in Cork. In conducting personal interviews it will allow a depth of analysis based on the lived experiences of the mothers interviewed. It aims to identify what supports mothers with PND had access to, both professional and social supports, and whether the supports were beneficial or not. Building on this knowledge of what services are available the researchers seek to identify why support services are experienced in the manner in which they are.Item Age-friendly Bandon: the impact of transport on social participation in Bandon and the surrounding area(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-04-29) Gaule, Yvonne; McCaughren, Simone; Network of Social Groups for Older Adults; Civil Society OrganizationIn supportive and enabling living environments, older people are a valuable resource to their families, communities and economies (WHO, 2007). In accordance with the World Health Organisation, an age-friendly community encourages opportunities for health, social participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life of people as they age. On a practical level, a community that is age-friendly adapts its structures and services to be inclusive and accessible to older people with varying capacities and needs. To understand what adaptations are required to make a community age-friendly it is necessary to consult and collaborate with older members of the community. Using a bottom-up participatory approach, this study looks at the impact of transport on social participation for older people living in Bandon and the surrounding area. A qualitative survey was used to ascertain the views and opinions of thirty-seven members of the seven social groups, who together form the Network of Social Groups for Older Adults. The results of this study are combined to form a number of recommendations, which may assist in ensuring that Bandon and the surrounding area are age-friendly in terms of transport facilities for older people.Item Online cancer support: a pilot study to implement and evaluate a support blog at ARC Cancer Support House (Cork)(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-04-26) O'Connor, Rob; Burns, Kenneth; Cork ARC Cancer Support House; Civil Society OrganizationThis study is a Community Action Research Links (CARL) project between UCC Social Work Department and Cork ARC Cancer Support House. The study explores the feasibility of Cork ARC Cancer Support House offering an online Support Blog. A participatory research approach was adopted. An Initial Survey was carried out to discover if a Support Blog would be a support service people would use and what helpful features it should contain. A Support Blog was then piloted for 2 months. Following this, a Final Survey was completed to gauge if users found the Support Blog helpful and in what way. This project presents the findings of both Surveys and the experiences of the Cork ARC team from piloting the Blog. The project concluded that it would be feasible for Cork ARC to offer a support Blog depending on a number of conditions that would need to be considered for the support to be offered in a long-term capacity. These are highlighted in the recommendations of the study.